Motorists will no longer need the “green card” issued by their insurance company to drive in Europe.

The requirement has been waived by the European Commission (EC). An agreement post-Brexit stated that British motorists had to have the extra paperwork enabling them to drive legally in Europe.

The green card showed enforcement agencies that travellers have valid motor insurance and was an internationally recognised document that normally lasted for 90 days.

Before the pandemic, UK residents made an estimated 12.6 million visits a year to EU countries via seaports and the Channel tunnel. The new rule, expected to be published in the EU’s official journal in the next few days, will come into force 20 days later.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) hailed the decision as excellent news for drivers.

Their Director General, Huw Evans, said “UK drivers will no longer need to apply for a green card through their insurer which will help reduce bureaucracy for drivers and road hauliers travelling between the UK and EU.

It will be especially welcomed by motorists in Northern Ireland driving across the border.” The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) said “This wasn’t a sustainable situation when you consider there are an estimated 43 million cross border vehicle trips per annum and there are approximately 25,000 people who live on one side of the border and who regularly commute to the other jurisdiction.”